Ranchi, January 21, 2024: In a significant move to boost women's participation in sports, MG (Morris Garages) Motor India, the British automotive brand with a rich legacy spanning a century, has announced its support for Pratima Barwa, a renowned women's hockey coach from Simdega, Jharkhand. At 44 years old, Barwa has been instrumental in training young female hockey players in the region.
This initiative is part of MG Sewa, the company's dedicated vertical for empowering women in sports. MG Sewa focuses on fostering sportsmanship and skill development among young talents. Under this program, MG Motor India will provide Pratima Barwa with essential resources and equipment, bolstering the growth of emerging hockey players from Jharkhand.
MG Motor India has a history of supporting women in sports, having previously extended aid to notable athletes such as professional golfer Tvesa Malik, Khel Ratna and Arjun Awardee Deepa Malik, and Bhavina Patel, India’s first silver medallist at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, among others.
On extending support to Pratima, Pulak Singhania, Dealer Principal- MG Ranchi, said, “We are honoured to come together with Coach Pratima in empowering the next generation of hockey players. This initiative, an MG Sewa effort, resonates with our belief in the transformative power of sports and underscores our continuing contributions to constructive community engagement.”
Expressing gratitude, Pratima Barwa, said, “When brands like MG come forward to support sports communities like ours, more young girls line up to chase their dreams. I am grateful that my work got recognized and we will now be able to take our training sessions to an advanced level.”
Pratima began her hockey career representing Bihar and was a promising player until a ligament tear injury in 2008 halted her progress. Unfazed, the determined sportswoman from Khunti, Jharkhand, transitioned into coaching after completing her degree. In Simdega, she has been instrumental in the development of numerous hockey players, including Olympian Salima Tete and national star Sangita Kumari, helping several women from the state reach national camps. Her dedication to the sport and her role in fostering young talent resonate deeply with MG Sewa's vision of women's development.
